Ski Trip Review
20th February 2018
Over February half term 42 students and five staff set off for a snowbound adventure to the picturesque town of Flattach in the south west of Austria.
This tiny town, home to just over a thousand people regularly welcomes tens of thousands of winter sports enthusiasts every year, filling the great white mountains with skiers, snowboarders and excitement.
Students enjoyed six days of professional instruction on the slopes and whatever their ability students were able to hone their skills and grow in confidence over the week.
Remy in Year 8 said: “I was a bit nervous at first but soon I was doing really well.”
Each day saw at least five hours skiing, a hot meal at the hotel followed by some excellent evening activities. Students were able to access starter slopes, blue and red runs, according to their ability levels with seasoned staff like our tackling black runs. We were fortunate to have Mrs Humphrey join us from Thomas Alleyne school as she is not only an excellent PE teacher and good friend of the College, but also represents Great Britain in the American Football league.
The environment was certainly challenging at times, our second day saw a white out, skiing in the very snowy conditions and reduced visibility was both exhilarating and hard work but under the watchful eye of their instructors everyone had a safe and enjoyable time.
Most days saw clear skies and good conditions, although temperatures remained around -10 to -15 degress Celsius and the windchill was up to -27 on one very chilly ride up the mountain on the chair lift.
The evening activities included traditional Austrian bowing, which is best experienced rather than described, our popular quiz night, sledging, curling, ice skating and a disco, then it was off to bed for a decent night’s sleep to be fresh on the slopes the next morning.
Our final day saw a timed race, all groups took part, we saw some amazing progress among our students with several older ones having their runs filmed as part of their GCSE PE course.
Cameron, in Year 10, said: “It was hard work but very exciting, I’d like to thank all the staff for their support over the trip.”
Notable mentions go to Olly Jones as fastest skier, Elliot Montgomery for the fastest progress, Libby Mott as best snowboarder, Dr Wilson, the fastest teacher, Will Jones as second fastest skier and Ellie Osbourne as most fearless tobogganer. Well done MVC students and thank you MVC staff.
If you would be interested in attending our next Winter Sports Adventure we will be looking for a keen group of students for February half term of 2020, beginners to advanced welcome, letters will go out at the start of the academic year.
Cat Nicholls, Winter Sports Leader
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